Imprint H^^^ ^^^oJ^' '^^W- W^^A^y^^' v'jf^j^is^'^^'' |«{ IB S|| Bft ^M; H^s^" «?^^§^: ^^St' m 131 of Plays on 2d, 3d and 4th Pages of Cover. H'S STANDARD DRAMA. No. OCXXVIII. OLIVER TWIST. A SERIO-COMIC BURLETTA, In Jfour %dB, BY G-EORGK ALMA-R, COMKDIAN". Ai performed at THE WINTER GARDEN. Oorreotly printed from the Prompter's Oopy, with Remarks, the Oast of Oharaoters, Oostume, Scenio Arrargemcnt, Sides of Entrance and Exit, and Relative Positions of the Dramatis Personae. NEW Y O R K : .^ SAMUEL FRENCH, P U^B L I S H E R , 122 Nassau Street. (Up Stairs.) ■Mtgniiilli FRENCH'S STANDARD I Price 15 Cents each.— Bound Volumes $ TOL. I. 1 Ion 2 Fazio 3 The Lady of Lyons 4 Richelieu 5 The Wife 6 The Honeymoon 7 The School for Scandal 8 Money VOL. II. 9 The Stranger 10 Grandfather Whitehead 11 Richard III 12 Love's Sacrifice 13 The Gamester 14 A Cure for the Heartache 15 The Hunchback 16 Don Caesar de Bazan VOL. III. 17 The Poor Gentleman 18 Hamlet 19 Charles II 20 Venice Preserved 21 Pizarro 22 The Love Chase 23 Othello 24 Lend me Five Shillings VOL. IV. 25 Virginius 26 King of the Commons 27 London Assurance 28 The Rent Day 29 Two Gentlemen of Verona 30 The Jealous Wife 31 The Rivals 32 Perfection VOL. V. [Debts S3 A New Way to Pay Old 34 Look Before You Leap 35 King John 36 Nervous Man 37 Damon and Pythias 38 Clandestine Marriage 39 William Tell 40 Day after the Wedding VOL. VI. 41 Speed the Plough 4i Romeo and Juliet 43 Feudal Times 44 Charles the Twelfth 45 The Bridal 46 The Follies of a Night 47 Iron Chest IFairLady 48 Faint Heart Never Won VOL. VII. 49 Road to Ruin 50 Macbeth 51 Temper 52 Evadne 53 Bertram 64 The Duenna 55 Much Ado About Nothing 56 The Critio VOL. VIII. 57 The Apostate 58 Twelfth Night 59 Brutus 60 Simpson & Co 61 Merchant of Venice 62 Old Heads& Young Hearts 63 Mountaineers [riage 64 Three Weeks after Mar- VOL. IX. 65 Lore 66 Aa You Like It 67 The Elder Brother 68 Werner 69GiBippus 70 Town and Country 71 King Lear 72 Blue Devils VOL. X. 73 Henry VIII 74 Married and Single 75 Henry IV 76 Paul Pry 77 Guy Mannering 78 Sweethearts and Wives 79 Serious Family 80 She Stoops to Conquer VOL. XI. 81 Julius Caesar 82 Vicar of Wakefield 83 liOap Year 84 The Catspaw 85 The Passing Cloud 86 Drunkard 87 Rob Roy 88 George BaruAvell VOL. XII. 89 Ingomar 93 Sketches in India 91 Two Friends 92 Jane Shore 93 Corsican Brothers 94 Mind your own Business 95 Writing on the Wall 96 Heir at Law VOL. XIII. 97 Soldier's Daughter 98 Douglas 99 Marco Spada 100 Nature's Nobleman 101 Sardanapalus 102 Civilization 103 The Robbers L04 Katharine and Fetruchio VOL. XIV. 105 Game of Love 106 Midsummer Night's 107 Ernestine [Dream 103 Rfig Picker of Paris 109 Flying Dutchman 110 Hypocrite 111 Therese 112 La Tourde Nesle VOL. XV. 113 Ireland As It Is 114 Sea of Ice J 15 Seven Clerks 116 Game of Life 117 Forty Thieves 118 Bxyan Boroihme 119 Romance and Reality 120 Ugolino VOL. XVL 121 The Tempest 122 The Pilot 123 Carpenter of Rouen 124 King's Rival 125 Little Treasure 126 Dombey and Son 127 Parents and Guardians 128 Jewess VOL. XVII 129 C amine 130 Married Life 131 Wenlock of Wenlock 132 Rose of Ettrickvale 133 David Copperfield 134 Aline, or thd Rose of 135 Pauline [Killarney 136 Jane Eyre VOL. XVIII. 137 Night and Morning l38^thiop 139 Three Guardsmen 140 Tom Cringle 141 Henriette, the Forsaken 142 Eustache Baudin 143 Ernest Maltravers 144 Bold Dragoons VOL. XIX. 145 Dred, or the Dismal [ Swamp 146 Last Days of Pompeii 147 Esmeralda 148 Peter Wilkins 149 Ben the Boatswain 150 Jonathan Bradford 151 Retribution 152 Mineral! VOL. XX. 153 French Spy 154 ^\'ept of Wish-ton Wish 155 Evil Genius 156 Ben Bolt 157 Sailor of France 158 Red Mask 159 Life of an Actress 160 Wedding Day VOL. XXI. 161 All's Fair in Love 162 Hofer 163 Self 164 Cinderella 165 Phantom 166 Franklin [Moscow 167 The Gunmaker of 168 The Love of a Prince VOL. XXII. 169 Son of the Night iTORory O'More 171 Golden Eagle 172 Rieazi 173 Broken Sword l74Rip Van Winkle 175 Isabelle 176 Heart of Mid Lothian VOL. XXIII. 177 Actress of Padua 178 Floating Beacon 179 Bride of Lamermoor 180 Cataract of the Ganges 181 Robber of the Rhine 182 School of Reform 183 Wandering Boys 184 Mazeppa VOL. XXIV. 185 Young New York 186 The Victims 187 Romance after Marriage 188 Brigand 189Poorof New York 190 Ambrose Gwinett 191 Raymond and Agnes 192 Gambler's Pate VOL. XXV. 193 Father and Son 194 Massaniello 195 Sixteen String Jack 196 Youthful Queen 197 Skeleton Witness 198 Innkeeper of Abbeville 199 Miller and his Men 200 Aladdin VOL. XXVI. 201 Adrienne the Actress 202 Undine 203 Jessie Brown 204 Asmodeus 205 Mormons 206 Blanche of Brandywine 207 Viola 208 Deseret Deserted VOL. XvVII. Americans in Paris 210 Victorine 211 Wizard of the Wave 212 Castle Spectre 213 Horse-shoe Robinson 214 Armand, Mrs Mowatt 215 Fashion, Mrs Mowatt 216 Glance at New York VOL. XXVIII. 217 Inconstant 218 Uncle Tom's Cabin 219 Guide to the Stage 220 Veteran 221 Miller of New Jersey 222 Dark Hour before Dawn 223 Midsum'r Night's Dream [Laura Keene's Edition !24 Art and Artifice VOL. XXIX 225 Poor Young Man 226 Ossawattomte Brown 227 Pope of Rome "28 Oliver Twist 229 Pauvrette 230 Man in the Iron Mask !3l Knight of Arva ;232 Moll Pitcher VOL. XXX. 233 Black Eyed Susan ..'34 Satan in Paris 35 Rosina Meadows [ess 236 West End, or Irish Heir- J37 Six Degrees of Crime 238 The Laiy and the Devil 239 Avenger,or Moorof bici- 240 Masks and Faces [ly ( Catalogue conti nued on third page of cover.) "rnsr"""""""""" ■244 Wild Oats 245 Michael Erie 246 Idiot Witness 247 Anilow Copse 248 People's Lawyer VOL. XXXII. 249 The Boy Martyrs 250 Lucretia Borgia 251 Surgeon of Paris 252 Patrician's Daughter 253 Shoemaker of Toulouse 254 Momentous Question 255 Love and Loyalty 256 Robber's Wife VOL. XXXIII. 257 Dumb Girl of Genoa 258 Wreck Ashore 259 Clarl 260 Rural Felicity 261 Wallace ^62 JIadelaine 263 The Fireman 264 Grist to the Mill VOL. XXXIV. 265 Two Loves and a Life 266 Annie Blake 267 Steward 268 Cap'ain Kyd 269 Nick of the Woods 270 Marble Heart 271 Second Love 272 Dream at Sea VOL. XXXV. 273 Breach of Promise 274 Review 275 Lady of the Lake 276 Still Water Runs Deep 277 The Scholar 278 Helping Hands 279 Faust and Marguerite 280 Last Man VOL. XXXVI. 281 Belle's Stratagem 282 Old and Young 283 Raffaella 184 Ruth Oakley 285 British Slave 286 A Life's Ransom 287 Giraida 288 Time Tries All VOL. XXXVII. 289 Ella Rosenburg 290 Warlock of the Glen 291 Zeliua 292 Beatrice 293 Neighbor Jackwood 294 Wonder 295 Robert Emmet 296 Green Bushes VOL. xxxvni. 297 Flowenj of the Forest 298 A Bachelor of Arts 299 The Midnight Banquet 300 Husband of an Hour 301 Love' s Labor Lost 302 Naiad Queen 303 Caprice 304 Cradl« of LIb«rtj VOL. XXXIX. 305 The Lost Ship 306 Country Squire 307 Fraud and its V leans 308 Putnam ;09 King and Desertei 310 La Fiammina 311 A Hard SUuggle 312 Gwinnette Vaughs VOL. XL. 315 The Love Knot (idge 314 Lavater, or Not Bad 315 The Noble Heart 3l6Coriolanu3 317 The Winter's Tal( 318 Eveleei Wilson 3l9Ivanhoe 320 JouaU II in EngU FRENCH'S STANDARD DRAIVIA. No. CCXXVIIL OLIVEE TWIST. A SEEIO-COMIO BUELETTA, As performed at THE WINTER GARDEN. Correotly printed from the Prompter's Copy, with Remarks, the Cast of Character*, Costume, Scemc Arrangement, Sides of Entrance and Exit, and Belative Positions of the Dramatis Peisonae. NEW YORK: SAMUEL FRENCH, PUBLISHEB, 122 Nassau Street. (Up Stairs.) J: DEAMATIS PERSONS AND COSTUME. OLIVER TWIST —1st dress, gray workhouse dress, cap. 2d dress, liolit trowsers, bluejacket. 3d dress, blue suit, chaiified to light trowsers, cap , . Mks. G. Stopdart. MR. BUMBLE.— 1st dress, Beadle's dress. 2d dresp, Blue coat, white waistcoat, black breeches Mr. W. Davidge. NOAH CLAYPOLE. — 1st dress, charicy-boy's dress, badge, cap, &c. 2d dress, smock frock, countiy man's hat Mr. Evans. MR. BROWNLOW. — 1st dress, green coat, light waistcoat, drab breeches and stockings, morning gown, low-crowned, turned-up black hat Mr. J. H. Stood art. MR. GRIMWIG, — Great coat, drab coat, nankeeu breeches and gait- ers, silk waistcoat, drab hat Mr. Tree. FAGIN. — Old gray coat, black breeches, brown .id you see any of these pretty things, Oliver 1 OH. Yes, sir. Fag. Ah ! they're mine — all my little property — ^eb up, set up, there's a basin just over tliere — and you can wash, my tere. [^5 Oliver exits r. n. Fagin rapidly replaces the jewelry. Enter Charley Bates and Dodger — Oliver returns at the same time. Fag. Well, I hope you've been at work yesterday, my teres. Dod. Hard as nails. Fag. Good boys ! good boys I And what have you got, Charley 1 Char. A couple of note-holders. [Gives pocket-books to Fagin. Fag. Very neat and nicely made ; Charley's a nice workman, ain't he, Oliver 7 Oli. I never saw him at work, sir. Fag. But you shall, ma tere — all in good time — you shall ; and what ha' you got, Dodgerl Dod. Wipes. [Gives handkerchiefs to Fagin. Fag. That not so good, my tere ; but they're Indory I t^ee. Oli. What are you going to do with all those handkerchiefs? Dod. Sew 'em together to make summer trowsers. OH. Lor ! really. Char. Oh ! button me up ! Ha ! ha ! how green he is. Fag. Now, boys, ahall vve have a gamel Boys. To be sure. Fag. Only to amuse Oliver; shall we, Oliverl OH. Yes, if you please, sir. Fag. [putting on coat and hat^ Now then, boys ; I'm a banker, a nice banker, going to the city, with plenty of money, too ; but I must take care of the thieves — eh, Oliver! Oli. Yes, sir. Fag, Here we go — here we go. [Walks up and down. Bates steals pocket-book, and Dodger handkerchief.] I'm robbed ! stop 12 OLIVER TWIST. tlnef! stop thief ! [Ba^tes and Dodgeh hold up the- s ol en proper ii/^ All laugh.] Clever dogs; clever dogs— ain't tliey, Oliver] Oil. Ha ! ha ! very, sir. Fag. Woidd you like to try, Oliver? Oh. Yes, if you please, sir. Fag. There we ^o again, [Oliver tidies and gets caught] Ah! I've got you. You must take it slow, slow and artistically. [Olivee /;7V.9 again and succeeds.] A sood boy, a good boy. Oliver you'll be a oreat man/, you'll live in English history; you'll stand recorded in [a.^ide] the Newgate Calendar. IJod. Now then, we must pad the hoof, Charley. Say good luck 10 us, Faoin. Fag. Good fortune, ma teres. [To Dodger.] Take Oliver on the prowl, and try him. Yon are down on what I mean. Dod, Do\vn as a hammer. Fag. Good bye, Oliver; you are to go vvith those nice young gen- tlemen. Oh. Thankee, sir. Fag. And mind you do exactly what the nice young gentlemen tell you. OH. I will, sir. Bod. You hear what Fagin says, you're to do exactly what we tvro nice young gentlemen tells you. Oh. I know I am. Bod. Well then, mizzle. OIL I don't know how to mizzle. Dod. Cut your stick. Oil. I havn't got a knife. Char. My eyes ! how jolly green he is. ^Exeunt d. p. SCENE V. — A street in Clerlcenwell. — A hookseUer^s shop and stand. Enter Mr. Brown loav. J/r. B. 'Tis a book on ornamental gardening which I've seen somewhere here. Plague on my memory, I can't recollect the title! ''J'is dated another book-stall ! I'll give it my attention, and here I may be more successful. '[Goes to stall, and while he is anxiously , employed in examining its contents, enter rapidly the Dodger, Charley Bates, a?ici Oliver, L. H. — The Dodger suddenly stops, puts his finger to his lips, then draws his companions hack again with the greatest caution and circumspection, Oli. What's the matter. Dod. Hush ! Do you see that old cove at the book-stalll Oli. The old gentleman over the wayl — yes, I see him m OLIVER TWIST. 13 Cliar. He's a prime plant. Dod, Yes, he'll do, Charley. Oli. Do ! do ! What will he do fori [They get steaUhily towards the old gentleman. — The Dodger plunges his hand into the old gentleman^ s pocket, draws from it a hand- kerchief, which he hands over to Bates, when they both run away. Oh, dreadful ! Into what hands have I fallenl I see it now — the handkerchiefs — the jewels — the Jew. [-45 he turns to move away, Mr. Brownlow, missing his handker- chief, turns suddenly round, and exclaims, seeing Oliver run, Stop thief! iJnter a 'Biis^&B^ahd a Butcher: Bak. What's the matter] Mr. B. I have been robber, sir, that's the matter. There! there he goes! Stopthia' ihos.] Oh, my brother ! my dear, sweet, innocent little brother ! oh, dear ! Fag. There ; very good — very good, indeed. Ah ! you're a clever girl. Sik. She's a honor to her sex ; and I wish they was all like lier. Nan. Dye my silk stockings, if it ain't the boy himself a-coming ! Sikes, get into the beer-shop — Fagin, get away altogether. [Pushing Fagin. Fag. I will, my tere. [Sikes goes into heer-shop. — Fagin exits l. Enter Oliver, with hookSy r. Oli. What a change is this ! How happy and contented I ought to be. Oh, what would I give if little Dick could see me now. Enter a Butcher's Boy, r. Which is the nearest way to the Green, at Clerkenwell? Nan. Is it possible — at last I've found him ! [Throws her arms round the neck 0/ Oliver.] My brother ! my dear brother I Oh ! oh ! oh ! Oli. Don't ! Let go of me 1 Who is iti what are you stoi)ping me fori Attracted by the ejaculations 0/ Nancy, enter several people r. and l. Nan. Oh. my gracious! I've found him! Oh, Oliver ! Oh, you naugiity boy to make me suffer such distress on your account. Come home, dear, come. Thank gracious heavens I've found him. Oh ! oh ! oh ! [FaUs into the arms of a carpenter. 20 OLIVER TWIST. Worn. Don't you think you had better run for a doctor, butcher 1 But. No, I don't. Nan. Oil, no, no, no — never mind, I'm better now. [Grasping Oli- ver hy the hand.} Come home, directly, you cruel boy — come — Wora. What's the matter, ma'am ? Nan, Oh, ma'am, he ran away near a month a^o, from his parents, who are hard-working people, and joined a s4>r of bad characters, and almost broke his mother's heart. Worn. Go home, yoii young wretch, you little brute, you ! Oh. I'm not ! I don't know her — I haven't got any sister, or fath- er, or mother. Nan. Oh, only hear him, ho\v he braves it out! OH. Why, it's' Nancy. Nan. There, you sees he know^s me. Make him come home, good people, or he'll kill his poor mother and father, and break my heart ! Enter Sikes. Sik. What the devil's this ? What! young Oliver! come home to your poor mother, you young dog. [Seizing him. Worn. Oh, you shameful child ! OH. I don't belong to them. Oh, let me go ! help — help! Sik. Helpf yes, I'll help you. What books are these ? [Taking them from him.] Give 'em here ! [Strikes the loy with them on the head. Worn. That's ri^ht. That's the only to bring him to his senses. Sik. And lie. shall have it, too. Nan. Good heavens! don't hurt him much, good gentlemen, but take him to his mother. I — I am string to hysterics — I am — Worn. Oh, look at his poor sister ! Sik. Come along, young rebel. [Sikes drags off Oliver, l. — The mob follow, with Miss Nancy loudly screaming, and apparently in strong hysterics. SCENE III.— The den of Fagin. Fagin discovered sitting in a melancholy mood. Fag. I think Nancy can-not fail ; but cost what it may, that boy must, be brought back. [Scvffle heard on the stairs.] Eh ! they are comins Sik. [ Without] Is the old un here 1 Dod, [Without.] Yes; and precious down in the mouth he is — won't he be glad to see you ! [Enter Sikes, dragging in Oliver, followed hy Nancy, and preceded hy the DodgeR and Charley Bates ; the Dodger holding candle in a cleft stick-. I' OLIVER TWIST. 21 C%ar. Oh, my wig! — oh, cry, Fagin, look at him! I can't hear it— ha ! ha ! — it is such a jolly game. Hold me, somebody, while I laugh it out. Fag. Delighted to see you looking so well, my dear. The Artful shall give you another suit, my dear, for fear you should spoil that Sunday one. Why didn't you write, my dear, to say you were, com- ing ? we'd have got something warm for your supper. {The Dodger during this is rifling his pockets with assiduity. Dod. S'elp me ! if there ain't a fi-pun flimsy ! . [Holding up note,— Fagi^ seizes the note, Sik. Hollo'! what's that? That's mine, Fagin. Fag. No, no, my tere, you shall have the books. Sik. If that ain't mine, I'll take the boy back again! Come, hand it over. Fag. This is hardly fair — is it, Nancy 1 ;S'iA:.^Fair, or not fair, hand it over. Do you think Nancy and me has got nothing else to do with our precious time, but to spend it in scouting arter and kidnapping every young boy as gets giabbed through you 1 Give it here, you avaricious old skeleton ! Give it here 1 [He snatches it^ There, you may keep the books, if you are fond of reading ; and if not, you can sell 'em. on. No, no, they belonged to the old gentleman who took me into the house, and had me nursed when I was dying of the fever. Oh, pray send him back the books and the money ! Keep me here all my life long, but send them back, or he'll think I stole them. Fag. You are right — they will think you stole them. It couldn't ha' been better. Sik In course it couldn't. It's all right enough. They're soft- hearted people, so they'll ask no questions after him, fear they should be obliged to prosecute, and so get him lagged. He's safe enough. OH. Ah, then ! I won't stop if you kill me ! [Oliver rushes down stairs, followed by the Dodger and Bates. Fag. If he get away, I am ruined ! Yes, Sikes, and so are you. [Exit Fagin, d. in -p. Sik. The dog's outside the door, he'll — [Going to the door — Nancy stands hefore it. Nan. You shan't set on the dog — he'll tear the boy to pieces. Sik. Stand off from me— [as she clings to him.] — or I'll split your skull against the wall ! Nan. I don't care for that, Bill ! the child shan't be hurt by the dog, unless you first kill me. Enter Fagin and Boys, with Oljver. Sik. Shan't he'? I'll soon do that if you don't keep off. Fag. What's the matter here'^ Sik. The girl's gone mad. Nan. No she hasn't. Sik. Then keep quiet. Nan. No I won't. [1^ koiv produces a kna$icd club stick. 22 OLIVER TWIST. Fag. So you wanted to get awaj, did youl — wanted to call for the police, ehl \Ile is about to strike Oliver a violent blow, when NancYj witk a sud- den rush, makes herself mistress of the sticky and stands in a pro- iecting attitude over Oliver. Nan. Now strike the boy if you dare — any of you ! Fag. But, Nancy, my tere — Nan. Don't dear me! I won't stand by and see it done! You have got the boy, and what more would you have? Let him be then, or I shall put that mark on some on you that will bring me to the gallows before my time ! Sik. What do you meanl Burn my body! do you know who you are and wliat you arel Nan. Oh, yesj I know all about it — well — well. [Shaking her head with assumed indifference. Sik. You're a nice un — to take up the Jiumane and genteel side ! — a pretty subject for the child to make a friend ! Nan. God help me! I am ! I am ! and I wish I had been struck dead in the streets before I had lent a hand in bringing him to where he is. Ah me ! he's a thief from this night forth — and isn't that enough without more cruelty! Fag. Civil words. Nun. Civil words, Fagin ! Do you deserve them from mel "Who taught me to pilfer and to steal, when I was a child not half so old as thisl — You! I have been -in the trade and in your service twelve years since, and y(»u know it well — you know you do ! Fag. And if you have, it is your living. Nan. Ah ! it is — it is my living ! and the cold, wet, dirty streets, are my home ! and you're the wretch who drove me to 'em long ago, and that'll keep nie there till I die. Fag. I shall do you a mischief — a mischief worse than that — if you say much. Nan. Devil ! [She rushes at Fagix. — Sikes snatches the stick from her., then seizes her waist. — Nancy utters a piercing scream, then, with a look of concentrated hate and horror at Fagin, she faints in the arms of Sikes. SCENE IV. — The house of Mrs. Manx. — An interior. Enter Bumble and M&^. Mann, r. Bum. Yes, Mrs. Mann, I am going to London — to London, ma'am — 1 and two paupers. A legal action is coming on about a settlement, and the board has appointed me to depcee the matter before the Quarter Sessions at Clerkenwell ; and I very much question if the OLIVER TWIST. 23 Clerkenwell Sessions will not find themselves in the wrong box beTore they have done with me. Mrs. M. Oh, you musn't be to hard upon them. Bum, They brot it upon themselves, and if the Clerkenwell Ses- sions fiiul that they come off rather worse than they expected, the Clerkenwell Sessions have only themselves to thank. Mrs. M. Are you j^oing by coach, Mr. Bumble! Bum. I am — inside, Mrs. Mann, with my face to the horses, for if I lide with my back to 'em, Mrs. Mann, such is the delicacy of my constitution, that in general it makes me vomix. Mrs. M. You're going by coach ; but I thought it was usual to send the paupers in carts. Bum. That's when they're ill, and then we put the sick paupers into open carts, to prevent their catching cold. ' The opposition coach contracts for these two, and takes them cheap. They are both in a very low state, and we find It would come two pound cheaper to move 'em than to bury 'em ; that is if we can throw 'em upon another parish, which I think we shall be able to do, if they don't die upon the road to spite us. But how are the orphans under your porochial care, Mrs. Mann't 3Irs. M. All well, Mr. Bumble, I thank yon, but little Dick. Bum. What ! isn't he dead yef? Mrs. M. Not yet. Ah ! poor little boy, he does go on so, and talks i?o much about that runaway ^prentice, Oliver Twist. Bum. Talking of that, here's the London paper ; I borrowed it just to show you this nacknack from it. [Reads.'\ " Five guineas reward. Whereas a young boy, named Oliver Twist, absconded or was enticed on Thursday evening last from his home at Pentonville ; the above reward will be paid to any person who will give such information as to lead to his discovery, or tend to throw any light upon his previous history, in which the advertiser is for many reasons warmly inter- ested." Now, Mrs. Mann, I should think no person more fitter than myself could be found to give such information ; so good bye, Mrs. Mann. Mr.^. M. Good bye, Mr. Bumble; and I hope your merits will meet their due reward. Bum. And if so, them five guineas will find themselves as safe as the bank in my porochial pocket. [Exeunt severally ^ Bdmble, l., and Mrs, Mann, r. SCENE Y.— Repetition of Scene the First.— Mr. Brownlow and Mr. Grim WIG, with decanters hefore them, over their icine. Mr. B. Heigho ! Gri. Ah, you may well sigh ; you'll have more to sigh for, Mr. B., depend on't, before this affair is over. If you don't, sir, I'll eat my head. You've advertised for the young ruffian, you say*? 24 OLIVEE TWIST. Jl/r. 5, As yet without success. Gri. Umph ! so much the better — you wouldn't likjB to see him hanged, would you? Mr. B. Good heavens, no ! Gri. Then avoid passing debtor's door when you go near the Old Bailey. Enter yLvi^, Bedww hastily ^ r. Mrs. B. I knew we should hear of him, poor dear — I knew we should — I was certain of it — I said so all along. Mr. B. Thank God ! thank God ! Mrs. B. Excuse my crying — but — oh — dear — oh dear — I am so " 1! Mr. B. Mrs. Bed win — Mrs.— r^fPw^s A is kerchief to his ffvcsl— poohl I'm a d—d old fool! Gri. AVhy, what's the matter, my good friend ?— you seem a little hoarse. Mr. B. Yes; I'm afraid, Mrs. Bedwin, you didn't sufficiently air the cravat I put on this morning. Mrs. B. Yes, Mr. Brownlow, that I did; but there's a person below who says he can tell us something about Oliver. Mr. B. Tell him to come up directly. Mrs. B. You may come up. Enter Mr. Bumble, r. — he hows to the two gentlemen in a most re- spectful manner — Bumble wears a great-coat. Gri. I see it by his waddle — a parish beadle — or I'll eat my head. Mr. B. Sit down, sir. Bum. I will, sir. [^Sitting. Mr. B. Will you take a glass of wine '^ Bum. I will, sir, [drinking.] Your healths, gentlemen, both. Mr. B. Now, sir. You come in consequence of having seen an advertisement/? Gri. ^nd you arg a beadle — are you not? \Quickly. Bum. Yes — a porochial beadle. Gri. Of course ! I said he w^as. His coat has a porochial cut all over. If he hadn't been a beadle, I'd have eat my own head, and his afterwards ! Bum. [aside] Would you ? Then, to my thinking, there would be more brains in your belly than in all the upper part of your body! Mr. B. My friend, do you know where this poor boy is now 1 Bum. No more than nobody. Mr.B. Well, what do you know of him ? Speak out, if youVe any thing to say. Gri. You don't happen to know any good of him, do youl Bum. \aside\ I wonder which I shall get most by — by blowiBg him up, or praising him ? Gri. Of course you donH know any good of him ? r OLIVER TWIST. 25 Bum. [AsideJ] OIi', that's my cue ! — Of course I don't. Mr. B. Speak, then, sir — you can speak I Bum. Sir, you wound my feelings. Yes, sir, I can speak, and sing too. 'Tis plain, sir, that you was never at Mudfoor church during service — [with increased vehemence and insulted dignity] — or you would never have asked the question, sir. I'd have you to know I sing the psalms louder than six people put together, and, if the char- ity-boy didu't blow the bellows very strong, I should drown the or- gan ! Gri. There, there — ihai will do. Bum. I tell you, sir, that it won't do. I'd have you to know that my voice is 'ticklary fine ! Lor, sir — the voice of the beadle is the wox populi of the parish, the engine of the overseer, and the terror of the pauporial population, No voice, sir — no voice ! — allow me to exalt it, and I'll make those decanters upon the table shake as if they had got the ague, and rattle the tiles upon the top of the house in such a manner, that the chimney-pots will be astonished ! [Singing\ Good people, listen ! Mr. B. Get down sir ! — get down ! [For Bumble, m his excitement^ has mounted the chair.] Gri. Yes, get down— or I'll eat my bead if I don't make you. Bum. Beg your pardon — but I forgot. [Sitting down. Mr. B. Oliver Twist — what know you of Oliver Twist 1 Bum. The sums substance is, that he was a foundling — born of lewd, vicious parents. From his birth he was treacherous, ungrate- ful, and malicious. In a word, he nearly killed an unoffending boy, called Noah Claypole, and finished by running away in the night- time from his master's house, who was almost a father to him. Mr. B. Indeed ! indeed ! Gri. I said so all alor>g^ ir Mr. B. And who are you 1 Bum, I am the Beadle of the parish in which he was born, sir. Mr. B. There, then, is the five guineas. If your conscience would have permitted you to have given him a more favorable account, I should have made them ten, sir, Bum. Weugh ! I've put both foots in it. But, sir — Mr. B. Have you more to say of Oliver Twist 1 Bum, No — but — Mr. B. There is the door. You will excuse me, but your society at this moment is any thing but pleasant. Bum. But, sir — Mr. B. Begone, sir ! Bum. What a fiery old dragon ! I wish I had him for a few minutes under the spout of our porochial pump — egad. I'd cool hia courage. lUxit B. Mr. B. Heigho ! so Oliver is an impostor. Mrs. B. It can't be ! Mr. B. What do you mean by it can't \)p % — I tell you he is. Mrs, B» I won't believe it. 26 OLIVER TWIST. Gri. You old women never belieye anybody but quacl? doctors. Mrs. B. You are an old bachelor ; and people who never had no children ou£[ht not to give no opinion. 3Ir. B. Silence 1 Never let nie hear that boy's name again, on any pretea^ie. I am in earnest. Remember ! Good night, my friend. Gri. Good night- [Exit Mr. Grimwig, r. Mr.B, My bed candle. 3Irs. B. 'Tis here, sir. [ Giving it him, Mr. B. Go\ • Mrs. B. [Crying. \ Oh, lackaday ! Oh, lackaday I [Exit r. [Mr. Brownlow, after ajpause^ sighs heavily j and exits to his cham- ber j L. SCENE VI.— F AGINGS den. Enter Sikes, smokins:, with Fagin and Nancy— Nancy draws a chatr. sitting motionless and listlessly upon it. Fag. About the crib at Chertsea, Bill 1 — such plate, my tere — such plate ! 8ik. It is not to be done at all. At least, it can*t be a put-up job, as we expected. . .- , . Fag. Then it hasn't been properly gone about. Don't tell me \ Sik. But I will tell you^ Who are you that are not to be told 7 I say that Tobey Crackit has been hanging about the place for a fort- -liight, and he can't get one of the servants into a line. Fag. Do you mean to say that neither ofHhe men in the house can be got over 1 .^ik. I 4o. Fag. JNor the women 1 Sik. Not a bit of it. Fag. Not by flash Toby Crackit 1 — Think what women are ! Sik. No ; not even by flash Toby Crackit ! *^ Fag. Tere, tere — 'tis a sad thing to lose so much >yhen we had set our hearts upon it. ;> Sik. And so it's, worse luck, Fagin ! [Suddenly.] Is it worth fifty shiners if it's safely done from the outside instead of ib^ in ? Fag. Yes, yes, my tere. Sik. Then let it come off a^ soon as you like. Tobey and I were over the garden- wall the night afore last, sounding the panels of the doors and shutters. There is one part we can crack safely. Fag. And which is that 1 . Sik. Never mind which part it is — you can't do without me, I know. But it's best to be on the safe side when one deals with you. Fag. As you likes, my tere — as you likes. 7\ '^ OLIVER TWIST. 27 Sik. One Ihinfj we shall need, and you can help us to it — we want a boy. Now, if I had got that young boy o' Ned's, the chimney- sweeper — he kept him small on purpose, and let him Out by the job. But the father gjets laaged, and the Juvenile Pelinquent S'iety takes awa}' the boy from a trade where he was arning money, teaches him to read and write, and ruins him ! And so they go on. Ah, them charity s'ieties does a deal o' harm! and if they got money enough (which 'tis a providence they ha' not) we wouldn't have a ^spectable boy-thief in all London. Fag, No more we should. But, I say Bill, don't you talk too fast. ^ ' [Pointing to Nak or, Sik. Pooh ! she won't blab — will you, Nance 1 Nan. I should think not. You aixj going to recommend young Oliver — I know you are ! Fag. Why my tere, I—I— ** Nan. There, don't stammer, tell Sikes at once. Remember, Fagin, you and I can't call each other strangers. We — we know each other ! Fag. It was about Oliver I was going to speak, sure enough. He's the boy for you, Sikes. «^ Sik. He's just the size — Fag, And will do everything you want — that is, if you'll frighten him I Sik. Frighten him ! Mark my words, if there's anything queer about him when once we get into thework, you won't see hhn alivo again — so think of it. Fag. I've thought of it all. I've had my eyes upon him close. Once let him feel that he is one of us — once let him think that he has been a thief — and he is ours ! >S'iA:. Whaf? Fag. Or the poor little boy must be put out of the way, Mr. Sikes. Nan. You're a great rogue, Fagin 1 But I've told you that so of- ten, you cannot have forgotton it. Fag. But when is it to be done? Sik. I planned with Toby to-morrow night, if he heard nothing from me to the contrary. The day is breaking. I've hired a cart and horse near by on spec, and shall be off the stones in an hour or -two But the boy — where is he 1 I must have him now or never ! Fag:* There— sound asleep ! So sound that you might put bim into the cart without his waking. Sik: Oho ! oho ! Softly I [JSxit Sikes io fetch Oliver l. Fag. Ha! ha! G6bd.\ good! Excellent !— he sleeps so soundly. Nan. [Calmly. '\ Do you ever do so, Fagin *? Fag. No I Sometimes I dream, my tere— sometimes I dream. Nan. Of whaf? Fag. One night of one thing, and another night of another. Nan. One night of your gold, and another of the devil, to whom you sold your soul to gain it. 28 OLIVER TWIST. Enter Sikes hearing the sleeping Oliver. Stop, Bill, before he goes let me see him. [Bikes stops for a moment. — She gazes in the face of Oliver then bu7-sts into tears. Fag. Eh, why do you cry, my terel JVan, I had a brother about his age that look'd like him in his coflSn. Sik. Come — come. [JExit Sikes, d. f. — Fagin detaining her for a moment. Nan. What do you slop me fori Fag. You won't betray me 1 [Fagin holds the candle close to her face. Nan. No. [Boldly.'] "What do you stare in my face fori ^ Fag. I'm a judge of faces. Nan. Then I tell you again, I won't. Fag. I see by your face you won't — good night. Nan. Good night. [Exit Na^ct. Fag. Umph ! she's smooth and fair again. The worst of these women is, that a very little thing serves to call up some long-forgot- ten feeling, and the best of them is, that it lasts only for a moment. Aha ! aha ! this is a strange world 1 how long will it be before I leave it! I — I'll try to pray to-night. [Exit Fagin, r. SCENE VII. — A solitary hoiife, by moonlight, ruinous and decayed. — Window on each side of dilapitated entrance, viz.: a low portico. — The door of the portico practicable. Enter J from the doorway ^ Toby Crackit smoking a long clay pipe Toby. Barney! [Calling. Bar. [ Without.] I'm coming, Master Tob}'. Toby. Well.' [After taking along whiff at pipe.] 'Tis a surprising thing to me, any how, that people can be honest. For a fortnight have I been down in this here place and havn't come the caper in a shipshape fashun yet. [Shrill whistle without] Who goes there'? Sik. [ Without.] What's o'clock^ that's the question. Toby. Time for to get up early! that's the ^^answer — all right — 'tis Sikes and the boy. Barney, get all ripe and ready. Enter Sikes, follouring Oliver, r. Sik. Get on — or do you want me to tread upon your heels every minute. Toby. Your hand, Bill, I'm glad to do the civil to you. Sik. How do you get on'? Toby. All correct, like a house a-fire at both ends and in tho middle. [- OLIVER TWIST. 29 Sik, The crack is safe, then. Toby. Safe as sawdust, and I'm glad to see you. I was almost ftfraid you'd given it up, in which case I should have made a personal wentur. Sik. Here, Barney, the max. Enter Barney /rom the house with waiter, jug of hot water and spiriist yawning. Toby. Infixing , and helping Sikes.] Ah! this will giv(& me a heart now. [D7'inks» OH. Lor! hadn't you a heai-t before, sir? Toby. No — not much of a one. Bill, give the boy a drain of gin, Sik. [ Gives the boy a drop of gin.'\ Down with it, innocence. OH. Indeed! I— Toby. Tell him to drink it, Bill. Sik. He had better. [Pointing to the handle of his pistol in pocket. — Olfver drinks it Toby. There's a gentleman. Now, oh, stop, where's the timber? [Barney offer's two bludgeons, then exits into house.] Take your choice. Bill — I think this is rather the thickest. Sik. This is the sapling. [Taking one of the bludgeons. 1 Which way shall we go. Toby^ Slap through the town of Chertsey — there'll be nobody in the way to-night to see us. [To Oliver.] I s'pose if it came to the worst, you wouldn't split — for if I thought that, Fd — OH. No, no ! I'll never split, if you don't knock me to pieces. Sik. Be as bold as brass, boy. Toby. And the moment the devil tempts you to trust to your heels [taking hold of Oliver's hand] think of this cudgel on one side of you. [Stretching cudgel out. Sik. And this on the other. [Imitating the action of Toby. Toby, Come, Bill, come ; he'll be a rare fellow yet, depend on't, and so to business — to business. [Exeunt Sikes and Toby Crackit conducting off Oliver, l. SCENE VIII. — A building for the purpose of brewing at the back of a house of genteel appearance, l. h. — In flat a wall practicable forming the boundary of a garden. — A small open window suffi- ciently large to allow the passage of a boy through it, apparent with- out the hrewhouse. — The morning perfectly dark. — Sikes with his lantern appears above the wall, r. 2 e. Sik. 'Tis all correct. [Jumps down.] Hand the boy over. [Toby Crackit here shows himself above, and holding Oliver vnder Jhe arms, lets him fall into those of Sikes, who catches him. ^ SCI OLITER TWIST. Now, Toby, jump, it isn't no distance. [ToBt jiimps down, Oli. I see it now ; robbery, housebreaking, and perhaps murder I Oh ! pray have mercy on me, and do not make me steal. [To TOBT. To5y. Th0 boy '11 split. I'll — [Cocking his pistol Sik. Hush! if you do you.may count yourself as dead. [To Oliver. Oli. What would you have donel Sik. Be quiet till I've took down the shutter. [Wiih a C7'ow-har, and with very little risistance to it, he refnot'es the$Huiter.] Now lis- ten, you younoj limb. [Throwing light of lantern full on the face of Oliver.] I'm going to put 3^ou in there. [Pointing to hall.] Take this light and go softly up the step.? afore yc»u, till you come to the street door, and then linfasten it and iet uS in. Toby. There's a bolt at the top, you won^t be able to reach, stand "upon one of the hall chairs, there are three on 'em with — Sik. But are you sure the room-door's open 1 [To TohY who has tlimhed iip with hath hetnds. Toly. Wein The game of that is that they always leave it open with a catch, so that the dog, who has got a bed in here, may walk up and down the passage when he feels wakeful. But he's not there now, Barney 'ticed him away so neat. Sik. Kip — [Toby plants himself firmly with his head agfainst the wall, beneath the window, and his hands itpon hih'' knees, to mcJce a step of his back ; SiKES mounts tipon him, puts Oliver gently throvgh the window, with his feet first, and without hating hold of his collar plants him safely on the floor inside. \ Take this lantern, you see the st^ps afore you ; take notice, you are within shot of this. [Pointing pistol through embrasure.'] And if you falter, Til shoot you dead. Lor ! 'tis done in a minute. Toby. D'ye see the boy 1 [Listening at the street door, Sik. All's right, he goes straight to the door. [Toby listens at street door, Toby. What's that *? I hear something. Sik. Come back, come back. {Music. — A pistol-shot is heard within ^ Oliver utters a cry.] It's all up ; there's another to scare ye. [Oliver staggers and falls. Enter from house Mr. Brownlow. Mrs. Bedwin with servants and lights, Mr, B. I hope I have not killed him ! Mrs.B. Why, 'tis Oliver] Mr. B. Raise him, I say; Mrs. Bedwin, damn it, do something. [Toby and Sikes make their escape over wallj and curtain falls on tableau.] END OP ACT II. OLIVER TWIST. 31 ACT III. SCENE I.— The Workhouse Parlor, BuMBLB discovered seated at table, in plain clothing ^ and gazing ruefuUg on his beadle's coat. Bum. I have touched the sumraum boniim of all porochiafl great- ness— I am master of the workhouse — I have marri-ed a woman whom I like — no — damn it — whom I don't like — and— oh, blessed reHcs of departed grandeur ! 'Tis true I wear a pair of breeches on my nether limbs, but not the breeches— I wear too, a wide skirted coat, but not the coat. There are some promotions in life which ac- quire peculiar value from the coats and waistcoats connected with them A field-marshal has his uniform, a bishop, his silk apron, a beadle, his cocked hat — strip the bishop of his apron, or the beadle of his cocked hat, and what are they 1 — men, mere men ! for dignity is often a question more of coat and waistcoat than many people im- aghie. I must put away these in case they should make me weep, for I am no longer what f was, -and the blessed days of singlehood andbeadleistti are faded away forever. [Singing as he puts away the clothes.] "The light of other days are faded." I have been married about eight weeks, and it seems to me a hundred years, or to speak more properly, a centurion, and I sold myself for six teaspoons, a pair of susar-iongs, and a milk-pot; w'th a small quantity of second hand furniture — I went very reasonable — dirt cheap! ""• ;. .; -^n^er Mrs. Bumble, o. P. Jijtrs. B. Cheap ! chea^ ! — You would have been dear at any price. Bum. Mrs. Bumble ! , Mrs. B. Well 1 Bum. Have the goodness to look at me ! If she stands such an eye as this — an eye tl]at I never ^new to fail with porochial paupers, she will stand anything and my power is gone forever I Woman ! [Eyeing her sternly. Mrs. B. Well, booby 1 Bum. I am seized with an artepluck agitation, or to speak more properl3% a fit of apoplexy. Mrs. B. Come, g«t up, get up — and don't sit snoring there, all dav, Mr. Bumble ! Bum. I am going to sit here as long as I think proper— I shall snore, gape, sneeze, laugh, or cry, as the humor suits me — such being my prerogative, as a lord of the creation ! 82 OLIVER TWIST. Mrs. R, You a lord of the creation ! I'll have no such whimscy- "whamios, and you shan't create with me, depend upon it. Bum. But I will, and a precious riot, Mrs. Bumble. [Raising his cane, Mrs. B. What ! strike a woman ! Oh ! you monster ! \ Music. — She attacks him, pulls off his wig, and heats him. Enter Monks, l. h., hastily^ in a walking cloak, 3Ion. How is this 1 Is it possible that I behold a wife chastising her husband 1 Bum. Chastising ! Oh, how shall I eradicate myself from this ig- nominious situation. Uraph ! I dare say it appeared to you that my wife was beating me well. Man. Yes ; very well ! 'Bum. Yes ; I feel as if you thought so; Mon. I have little doubt you do. Bum. Ha ! ha ! ha ! Circumstances sometimes are are as decep- tious as an occulous delusion. Umph ! As Mrs. Bumble is getting what in Latin we call ting-bong-poing or to speak more properlv, fat— Mrs. B. Fat ! you villian ! Bum. Not too fat, my love ; only a little crummy — and the poro- clrial duties requiring her to lead a sequestrated and sedentary life — for her health's sake, I was indulging her with a little exercise this morning. 3Ion. Oh ! is that all 1 Bum. Oh, yes; that's all, and quite a plenty. Wheugh ! what a tongue ! I'm afraid Mrs. B. has broken the pulmonary bone of my right arm into decimal fractions. Mon. Last night we drank together. Bum. We did ! Six glasses of gin-and- water warm, with sugar. [Aside.] This is the man I told you of, who wanted to pump me about the secret — Mis. Bumble, Mr. Monks. Mrs. Monks — no, I mean — Mrs. Bumble, Mr. Monks, Mrs. Bumble ! Mon. Oh ! this is your good lady 1 Bum. Yes I and a good strong lady she is. I am afraid she has broken the corrupted artery of my spinal backbone in a variety of places. Mon. [To Bumble.] You know I can explain my business. Bum, This gentleman wants to distort a secret from us lovee. Mrs. B. Perhaps the gentleman thinks that woman cannot keep a secret 1 , Mon. I know they will always keep one, till it is found out. Bum. One ! and what is that 1 Mon. The loss of their own good name. Do you understand me 7 Mrs. B. Understand you 1 — no, not I ! Mon. Of course you don't — how should you ? Carry your memory OLIVER TWIST. 33 back to that spot in the workhouse, where misery gives birth to pul- ing children, for the parish to rear upon its stinted charity. Bum, You mean the lying-in-room. Mon. A boy was born there '^ Bum. Ah ! a great many boys was born there, in a most illegiti- mous and unporochial manner. Mon. I come to inquire of one — Oliver Twist ! Bum, Of Oliver Twisf? One of the most obstinatest and most de- ceitfulest — Mon. His mother died in the workhouse at his birth ; and there was a hag, I think, who nursed herl Bum. A hag^ to be sure there was ; you nursed her, didn't you, lovee'? Mrs. B. I, Mr. Bumble ! no, not I ; it was Old Sally! Mon. And Where's old Sallyl Bum. Old Sally, I suspect, is dead. Mon. Suspect! and for what reasonl Bum. Oh, for no particular reason •, only that I saw her buried, Mrs. B. Isawhecdie. Mon. She told you something about the boys mother! Mrs. B. She did. Mon. This bag contains the sum of twenty pounds ; if you'll tell me the particulars of that old woman's death, I'll give it you. Mrs. B. Will you, indeed'? Well then, you must know that Old Sally spoke of a' young creature who had brcusiht a child into the world before, not merely in the same room, but in the same bed in which she then lay dying. This girl, old Salh confessed to have robbed of a small parcel I took from her clutched hand when dead, and which I myself, in general, carry about with me. Yes, here it is; [Monks snatches it. Mon. It contains whatl Mrs. B. A small locket, with the name of Agnes engi-aved inside, and a wedding ring. Mon. It is — it is the thing r want. [Going. Bum. Yes, but whereas the twenty pounds we want* Mon. [Throwing it down.'] There it is! [Exit l. h. Mrs. B. What are you going to do With that money, [Bvslble picks it up,] Mr. Bumblel Bum. I am going to put it in my porochial pocket ! Mrs. B. [Snatches it.] Give it me ! for I'm not only mastef and mistress, but also cashier to the workhouse. [Exit r. h. Bum. Cash here ) I think it i^ cash there ! She will call herself next the Lord Chanticleer of Exchequer, for preciously she crows over me. " The light of other days is faded." [JSxit L. H., singing mouYnfully. S4 OLIVER TWIST. SCENE II. — A street hy moonlight. Enter Monks l. h Mon. I have thro\ni the tokens of the locket and the ring into a mill-stream near at hand ; and if the sea ever gives up its dead, as books say it will, it will keep its gold and silver to itself, and that trash among it. But here are papens I fear almost to carry about my person, in case they should be found. Enter Fagin, l. h., and listens. And, rambler as I am, I have no house or place to hide them in I Fag. [Coming forward."] Give them to me, my tere. [Nancy, who has heen following Fagin, enters l. h., and^'^on seeing who is with him, conceals himself, Mon. Give them to you j and why, Faginl Fag. For security. Mon. For securityl Fag. Yes, my tere ; for their own security and mine. They will be much safer at my house. I will secrete them in a hole of a dark chimney where we never keep afire! 3Ion. True ! that will be for their security. But what do you mean when you speak of yours? Fag. When the job is completed, and I have done what you would have me do with Oliver, you promised me £500. Put the papers, then, into my hand, that I may be sure, my tere, that you will keep your promise. Mon. Be it so ! [Giving them.] I have been lingering in this cold street these two hours. Where the devil, Fagin, have you beeni Fag. About your business, my tere — about your business ! Mon. You promised me by this time to have made him a pick- pocket, got him convicted and sent out of the country. Fag. But, my tere, he was so obstinate, and wouldn't take kindly to the profession, or he'd been a thief, long, long ago ! Mon, Pshaw ! you have made thieves of other boys in half the time» Fag. True, my tere, but they were half thieves already. Now, the honesty and obstinacy of this boy is disgraceful. But about the other proofs we talked of last night — the locket and the ring? Mon. Those proofs of the boy's identity lie at the bottom of the river, and the old hag that received them from his mother, Agnes, is rotting in her coffin. Oh, Fagin ! if I could gratify my hatred by taking that boy's life without the loss of my own, I could give you reasons strong for doing it; but I'll be upon the watch to meet him at OLIVER TWIST. 35 every turn of life, tn short, not even you yourself ever laid such snares as I'll contrive for my young brother Oliver ! Nan, His brother ! [Ihcit l. h. Mon. We have been watched — I caught the shadow of a woman's form on yonder wall. Quick ! By this way I will go ! [Exit R. h^ Fag, And I by the other ! [Exit l. h. SCENE III. — The garret of Sikes — Sikes discovered lying on bed wrapped tn a white great- coat, a soiled nightcap, and a black beard of a week's growth — Seated by him is Ji^ Am cy^ patching an old waist- coat. Nan. [Kissing his lips] He is better and stronger now, thank hea- ven ! I have seen the good kind lady, Miss Maylie, and have warned her of the danger threatening Oliver, but without implicating him — [pointing to Sikes] — or others. Let me think ! How was my pro- mise worded 1 — that should they wish to find me, come what might, ' I would, every Sunday night, be on London- bridge from the hour of ,^leven till midnight ! Sik. [Starting from his steep.] Who's there 7 Bar ! bar the door ! Oh ! it*s only you — what's o'clock, Nancyl iVan. Near upon ten. Hov\f do you feel to-night? Sik. As weak as water ! Here, lend us a hand, and let us get off this thundering bed any how — do you hear 7 Nan. Don't be cross, now — it's not in your nature ! Sik. Arn't it, though'? Nan. You wouldn't — no, Fm sure you wouldn't be hard upon me to-night. Sik. No ! — and why not 1 Nan. [Placing her hand on his shoulder and looking in his face.] Such a number of nights as I've been patient with you, nursing and caring for you as if you had been a child — and this, the first that I have seen you like yourself — Come, come, you wouldn't have served me as you did just now if you'd have thought of thai, would you 1 Say you wouldn't? Sik. Well, then, I wouldn't. [She bursts into tears.] Well ! — why, what are you whining about now, Nancy 1 Nan. Don't — don't seem to mind me ! It will soon be over ! Sik. What'll soon be over? Get up and bustle about, and don't bo coming over me with your woman's nonsense. [Knocking.] Who's there 1 [Three low taps.] Three low taps ! Then 'tis one of us. Come in, whoever you be.! JEnter FAGiVf followed by the Dodger and BxTES-^the Dodger with basket of provisions ^ j>. in f. Fag. Oh, Bill, my tere ! — how do you do 1 Sik. Not much the better for seeing you 1 36 OLIVER TWIST. Fag. Aha! but you'll b« the better for what we've brought. Spread the drapery, Nance ! [Handingf iahle-doih, Nancy spreads it — he takes out ftcmfi basket knives; forks y ^c, Sik. XJmph ! Ha" you got any thing there' to eat t I)od. Look here, Bill ! Sitch a rabbit-pie ! Sitch delicate cre- turs, with sitch tender limbs that the very bones melt in your mouth, and there's no occasion to pick 'em ; half a pound o' seven-and-six- penny gunpowder-tea, so precious strong, that if you mix it with boiling water it'll go nigh to blow the lid o' the teapot off ; a pound an' a half o' mist sugar, that the niggers didn't work at at all aforo they got it to sitch a pitch o' goodness — oh, no 1 Two half-quartern brans — pound o' best fresh — piece of double Gloucester — and, to wind up all, some of the richest port you ever lushed ! [Filling a glass and handing it to Sikes, who swallows the contents.] That's the stuff for trowsers, ar'nt it, Bill ? — so strong that it would make a man drunk only to pass by the cask it was kept in ! Sik. Give us another !— I arn't hardly got at th^ right taste I Dod. Enquivore ! as I used to say in the gallery when I used to go and see Jim Crow, just to encourage the legitimate drammy ! Fag. Aha! you'll do. Bill, now — you'll do! Sik. Do 1 — I might have been done for twenty times over afore you'd ha' done anything to help me 1 What do you mean by leaving a man in this state three weeks or more, you false-hearted wagabond'? Fag. Only hear him, boys — only hear him ! And us to come and brins: him such beautiful things ! Sik. And w.hat made you keep away for, you withered old fence ? Fag. I couldn't help it, BU1-~I 'couldn't, on my honor ! Sik. Upon your what 1 — Here, somebody cut us off a bit o' pi^, to take the taste o' that out o' my mouth, or it will choke me! Fag. Don't be out of temper— I have never forgot you, Bill. Sik. No! I'll pound it you havn't. You've been scheming and plotting away every hour that I've laid shivering and burning here. If it hadn't been for the girl I might have died. Well, well, I must have some blunt from you to-night. Fag. I hav'n't a coin about me. Sik. Then you've got lots at home. Fag. Lots ! — I hav'n't got so much as — Sik. I don't want to know how much you've got, and I dare say you couldn't tell yourself^ as it would take a pretty long time to count it. But I must have some to-night, and that's flat, Fagiri ! Fag. I'll send the Aitful! Here, Artful ! there's the key of the drawer — you know where 1 In a corner of it you'll find seven shil- lings. N"an. What's o'clock ? Fag. Near upon twelve ! Nan, Near twelve ! My promise, my promise I I'll go for the money. w 4>' OLIVER TWIST. 87 Sik. Stay wher& you are ! And, d'yo hear, Dodger — Artful 7 don't be too artful for me ! Dod. What do you mean 1 I'm sure Fd never deceive a friend — linle^s he'd let me ! Sik. Then don't lose your way coming back with the ready, or be dodged by the traps, or — Dod. Or have a hole in my pocket, or spend it by mistake, a' think- ino it was my own, or lend it to a friend, or have my feelings touched and jjivc it to a beggar — or — oh ! strike me backwards ! take my arm. Charley, and-Jet us- get away from this here gentleman, for of all the horridesi weaknesses of human natur, there's nothing what can ever give up to a suspositious disposition ! Sik. Oh ! you're a nice young gentleman ! Dod. Yes, we just am, and there's a pair on us ! And, for the fu- ture, Mr. Sikes, I beg you won't touch your hat to lis in the street, cos as how we cuts your company ! \Uxeunt Boy, swaggering, Nancy following. Sik. What, Nance ! Nancy, I say I Where's the gal going, eh 1 Nan. I don't know whei'e. Sik, Then I can tell you — nowhei'e ! So s!t down. Nan. [Aside.] 'Tis near the time. I want a breath of air. Sik. Then put your head out o' the winder, iVan. That's not enough — I want it in the street ! Sik. Then you won't have it! [Snatching her bonnet.] There, now, stop quietly where you are I Nan. It isn't such a matter as a bonnet would keep me. Do you know what you are doing 1 Sik. Know what I'm doing 1 the girl's lost her senses. Know what I'm doinjT 1 Yes. holding you down in this ere chair. Nan. You'll drive me on to something desperate ! Tell him to let me leau. SCENE v.— Toby Crackitt's Garret, Enter Toby with candle and Dodger, l. 1. e. Toby. And when was Fagin put upon bis tilal T Dod. Just at dinner-time. !tohy. And so you made your lucky up the washuS chimney, and Bolter got into the empty water-butt head downwards. Dod. Yes, but his legs was so precious long that they stuck oU\ at the top, and they took him, too. Toby. I tell you what it is my fine feller, I wish that you had picked out some other crib, when the two old uns got too warm, and have not come here. Dod. I thought you would have been glad to see me. Toby. Why, look'ee young gentleman, when a man ke6*ps himself so very exclusive as I have done, and by that means has a snug house over his head with nobody prying and smellins about it, it's rather a startlins thing to have the honor of a visit from a young gentleman (however a respectable and pleasant person he may be to play cards with at conveniency) circumstanced as you are. Well, well, it can't be helped now ! And what's become of Charley Bates'? Dod. He's lagged for life for a silver sneezer. Toby. Poor unfortunate indiwidual. [Knocking withovt.] Who's there 1 [Looking over the hcdcany.] 'Tis he. Dod. H«r Whol Toby. Wliy, he ! Who could It be 1 And wretch as he is, I'll let him in, though I don't much like it. Yes' yes ! He must come in. [TaJcing light Dod, Don't leave us in the dark. %%** Vh. OLIVER TTTIST. 43 Toby, What, are you afraid 1 Theire, then, keep the candle. \^Mu3ic. — Toby goes to door^ and returns, followed by a man with the lower pat't of his face buried in his Handkerchief, and another tied over his head ui%der his hat. — -jETi? takes them off, and discovers his car»wqpi and cadav^rom cpifnterm^ce^-' — -He staggers to chair and sinks upon it, Sik. To-night's paper says that Fagin's taken — is it true or a lie 1 Toby, Quite true ! [-4 pause. Sik. Confound you ajl ! Hay^ you ii<)thiQg to say to me1 Do you mean to sell me, Crackit, or let ine stop here till the hunt is< over 1 Toby, You may stop Here if you think it safe — I ^Yon't prevent you. Sik, Is it — the body ! is it buried 1 [Th&y shake their heads.] Why isn't it ! Whati io th^y keep such ijgly things as that above the gi-ound for 7 ' What is that knocking 7 Tob. What knocking 1 All is silent. Sik. But the eyes ! the eyes I Wherever I go they follow and look ui)on me ! I can trace her shadow in the gloom — and how stiff and solemn it sterns to stalk along ! I could hear its garments rustling hi the leaves, ^nd every breath of wind came laden with its last low cry ! Well, what are you all staring at 1 Toby, your hand. [He turni away.] Ah, Dodger, give me yours ! Dod, No ! let me ijo into some other room. Sik. What! Pon't you — don't you know me 1 Dod. I do ! — but don't come near me, murderer ! Witness, you twOj^I'm not afraid of him. If they come here, I will give him up. Murder ! Help ! Down with him ! [Music. — They struggle. — Sikes overcomes him and draws knifei- Toby. Damme I don't kill the boy, or I'll kill — [Toby snatches up stool to hurl at the head of Sikes, when a loud clamor is heard without. Voice. [Without.] In the king's aame, open the door ! Bod. Run straight to the room where the light is, or they'll never open. [Seizing Sikes again.] Lot them in I say — break open the door ! Sik. Open the door of some place where I can lock this screeching hell babe. Toby. There! there! M?'. B. [ Without.] A purse of twenty guineas to the man who takes him alive I Dod. Do you hear^ do you hear'? Sik. Silence ! [Thrusts Dodger into inner room and locks him in, then looks sud- denly round him. Is the down-staira door faaf? Toby. Double locked and chained ! 44 OLIVER TWIST. Sik. And the panels — are they strong*? Toby. Lined with sheet-iron ! Stk. And the windows, tool fS^oby. Yes ; and the windows too ! fSik, Then damn you, do your worst — I'll cheat you yet ! • {Rushes off R. -B.., followed by others. SCENE LAST. — The roofs of houses. — One very tall one l. C. — All the characters in piece discovered. — Sikes appears or% roof. — At his appearance yells and groans are heard to welcome him. — He sets his foot against a stack of chimneys, fastens one end of the rope firmly round it, and^ in the other makes a strong running noose by the aid of his hand% and teeth. — Sikes then shakes his fist at them in defiance j draws his knife and places it between his teeth, Sik, I can let myself down to within a few feet of the ground, and then cut the rope — stop ! I will put it for a moment round my neck till I fasten it under my armpits. [He puts loop over his head'l Now Nancy 1 Ah, tho^e eyes again ! Hell ! I have fallen ! [In turning his head he staggers and is precipitated from roof the rope tightens and he is leftJianging, the mob below shouting He has hanged himjself! — Others overcome Toby. — Picture. ( UatiLogue conimued from second page oj cover, j VOL. XLI. 321 The Pirate's Legacy 322 The Charcoal Burne - 32 i Adelgitha 32 i Senor Valiente 325 Forest Rose 326 Duke's Daughter 327 Camilla's Husband The Guide to the Stagre, by Leman Thomas Rede. Con- taining Clear and Full Directions for obtaining Theatrical Engagements, with complete and valuable instructions for be- ginners, relative to salaries, rules, manner of going through Rehearsals, securing proper dresses, conduct at a first appear- ance, &c., &c. To which is added a list of the principal English and American Theatres. Edited and adapted to the American Stage, by Fbancis C. Wemyss. Price 15 Cents. Hainlet, in three Acts. The Oath of Office. Bound Volumes, containing Eight Plays. Guttle Sc Gulpit. -$l 00 Massev's Exhibition Reciter and Drawing* Room Entertainments, crs. ""^mg choice Recitations in prose and verse. Together with an unique collection of Petite Comedies, Dramas and Farces, adapted for the use of Schools and Families. By Charles Massey, Professor of Elocution at Burlington College, N. J., and Me- chanics' Society School, New York City. Two numbers per number, 30 The Two numbers, bound in cloth. School style 75 Dramas for the Drawing* Room, by Miss Keating 30 Plays for the Parlor, by Miss Keating 30 Acting" Charades, by Miss Pickering 30 Joe Miller's Own Jest Book 30 Life of a Showman, by David Prince Miller 30 Punch and Judy, Illustrated _ 30 Comic Dramas, for College, Camp, or Cabin, (Male Characters only,) 30 Dr?-ra.asfor Boys, (Male Characters only,) by Miss Keating 30 Hom3 Plays for Ladies, (Female Characteis only,) complete in 2 parts each 30 I An Evening's Entertainment, an original Comedy, a Burlesque and Farce.. . 30 j Shakspeare's Proverbs, by Mrs. Cowdin Clarke... 30 Playg-oer's Journal, 3 parts each 30 THE ETHIOPIAN DRAMA. No. 1. Robert Make- Airs. 2. Box and Cox. 3. Mazeppa. 4. United States Mail. 5. The Coopers. 6. Old Dad's Cabin. 7. The Rival Lovers. 8. The Sham Doctor. 9. Jolly Millers. 10. Villikins and his Dinnah. 11. The auack Doctor. 12. The Mystic Spell. 13. The Black Statue. The above Dramas have been produced with the utmost care, not only to the coriectnesf to the text, but to all the Stage Directions, Properties, and other minutiae, pertaining tc their being properly placed on the Stage. Although these Dramas are specially adapted (j for Ethiopian entertainments, they are well fitted for Private Theatricals. i) 0^" NOTICE.— OwJin^r to the continued increase in price of Press Wokk, Paper anc Binding, we shaU be obliged to charge Fifteen Cents at Retail, for the Standard and Minoi Drama.— January 1st, 1864. Any of the above sent by Mail or Express on receipt of price. SAMXJEIi FRENCH, Publisher, 12£ Nassau Street, (Up Stairs. Agent for Lacy»8, Cumberland's, and Webster's English Plays. No. 14. Uncle Jeff. 15. The Mischievous Nig-grer. 16. The Black Shoemaker. 17. The Magic Penny. 18. The Wreck. 19. Oh, Hush ! or, The Vir- ginny Cupids. 20. The Portrait Painter. 21. The Hop of FasJiion. 22. Bone Squash. 23. The Virginia Mummy. 24. Thieves at the MiU. 25. Comedy of Errors. jrriut; lb Oeiioai VOL, I. 1 The Irish Attorney 2 Boots at the Swan 3 How to pay the Rent 4 The Loan of a Lover 5 The Dead Shot 6 His Last Legs 7 The Invisible Prince 8 The Golden Farmer YOU II. 9 Pride o! the Market 10 Used Up 11 The Irish Tutor 12 Thii Barrack Room 13 Luke the Laborer 14 Beautv and the Beast 15 St. Patrick' s Eve 16 Captain uf the Watch VOL. III. 17 The Secret [pers 18 White Horse of the Pep- ; 19 The Jacobite ; 20 The Bottle 21 Box and Cox '22 Bamboozling 23 Widow's \ictim i'4 Robert Macaire VOL, IV. 25 Secret Service 26 Omnibus 27 Irish Lion 28 Maid of Croissy , 29 The aid Guard ■ 30 Raising the Wind 31 Slasher and Crasher 32 Naval Engagements VOL. V. 33 GockuJes in California 34 Who Speaks First • 35 Bombastes Furioso i 36 Macbeth Travestie ' 37 Irish Ambassador 88 Delicate Ground 39 The Weathercock [Gold iO All that Glittera is Not VOL. VI. 41 Grimshaw, Bagshav/ and Bradshaw i2 Ro;jgh Diam«ml 43 Bioomer Costume 44 T-wo Bonnycastles ■ 45 Born to Good Luck \\ 46 Kis^in the Dark [jurer l-47'TwQiuld Puzzle a Con ' <8 Kill or Cure VOL. VII. i9 Box and Cox Married and 50 St. Cupid [SetUed I 61 Go-to-bed Tom ' 52 The Lawyers ; 53 Jack Sheppard i4 The T oodles 35 The Mobcap i6 Ladies Beware VOL. VIII. 57 Morning Call 38 Popping the Question 59 Deaf as a Post 50 New FootmMi 51 Pleasant Ne^hbor 32 Paddy the Piper 33 Brian O'Linn 54 Irish Assurance VOL. IX. 55 Temptation 56 Paddy Carey >7 Two Gr-'gories >8 King Charming 59 Poca-hon-tas Clookmaker's Hat 1 Married Rake 2 Love and Murder VOL. X. j VOL. XIX. 73 Ireland and America ,145 Calumbus 74 Pretty Piece of Business 75 Irish Broom-maker 76 To Paris and Back for Five Pounds 77 That Blessed Baby 78 Our Gal 79 Swiss Cottage 80 Young Widow VOL. XI. 81 O'Flannigan and the Fa- 82 Irish Post [ries 83 My Neighbor's Wife 84 Irish Tiger 85 P . P . , or Man and Tiger 86 To Oblige Benson 87 State Secrets 88 Irish Yankee VOL. XII. 89 A Good Fellow 90 Cherry and Fair Star 91 Gale Breezely 92 Our Jemimy 93 Miller's Maid 94 Awkward A nival 9o Crossing the Line 96 Conjugal Lesson VOL. XIII. 97 My Wife's Mirror 98 Life in New York 99 Middy Ashore 100 Crown Prince 101 Two Queens 102 Thumping Legacy 103 UnfiuUhed Gentleman 104 House Dog VOL. XIV. 105 The Demon Lover 106 Matrimony 107 In and Out of Place 108 I Dine with My Mother 109 Hi-a-wa-tha 110 Andy Blake 111 Love in '76 [ties 112 Romance under Difficul- VOL. XV. 113 One Coat for 2 Suits 114 A Decided Case 115 Daughter [nority 116 No ; or, the Glorious Mi- 117 Coroner's Inquisition 118 Love in Humble Life 119 Family Jars 120 Personation VOL. XVL 121 Children in the Wood 122 Winning a Husband 123 Day after the Fair ^,, 124 Make Your WiUs *^ 125 Rendezvous 126 My Wife's Husband 127 Monsieur Tonson 128 Illustrious Stranger VOL. XVII 129 Mischief- Making [Mines 130 A Live AVoman in the 131 The Corsair 132 Shylock 133 Spoiled Child 1.^54 Evil Eye 135 Nothing to Nurse 136 Wanted a Widow VOL. XVIII. 137 Lottery Ticket 138 Fortune's Frolic 139 Is he Jealous? 140 Married Bachelor 141 Husband at; Sight 142 Irishman iu London 143 Animal SlagnetisTi 144 Highways and By- "Ways VOL. XX ;217 Crinoline 146 Harlequin Bluebeard |218 A Family Fa 147 Ladies at Home 219 Adopted Chi; 148 Phenomenon in a Smock 220 Turned Head Frock J22l A Match in tl 149 Comedy and Tragedy 222 Advice to Ho 150 Opposite Neighbors '223 Siamese Twi 151 Dutchman's Ghost 152 Persecuted Dutchman VOL. XX. 153 Musard Ball lo4 Great Tragic Revival 155 High Low Jack & Game 156 A Gentleman from Ire- 157 Tom and Jerry [land 158 Village Lawyer 159 Captain's not A-miss 160 Amateurs and Actors VOL. XXI. ^ 161 Promotion [ual 162 A Fascinating Individ- 163 Mrs. Caudle 164 Shakspeare's Dream 165 Neptune' s Defeat 166 Lady of Bedchamber 167 Take Care of Little 168 Irish Widow [ Charley VOL. XXII. 169 Yankee Peddlar 170 Hiram Hireout 171 Doubie-Bedded Room 172 The Drama Defended 173 Vermont Wool Dealer 174 Ebenezer A'enture (ter 175 Principles from Charac- 176 Lady of the Lake (Trav) VOL. XXIII. 1 Mad Dogs 178 Barney the Baron 179 Swiss Swains 180 Bachelor's Bedroom • 181 A Roland for an Oliver 182 More Blunder* than One 183 Dumb Belle 184 Limerick Boy VOL. XXIV. 185 Nature and Philosophy 186 Teddy the Tiler 187 Spectre Bridgroom 1S8 Matteo Falcone 189 Jenny Lind 190 Two Buzzards 191 Happy Man 192 Betsy Baker VOL. XXV. 193 No. 1 Round the Corner i94 Teddy Roe 195 Object of Interest 196 My Fellow Clerk 197 Bengal Tiger 198 Laughing Hyena 199 The Victor Vanquished 200 Our Wife VOL. XXVI. 201 My Husband's Mirror 202 Yankee Land. 203 Norah Creina 204 Good for Nothing 205 The First Night 206 The Eton Boy 207 Wandering Minstrel 208 Wanted, 1000 Milliners VOL. XXVII. 209 Poor Pilcoddy i„„, „.. ,■ ■n^ 210 The Mummy [Glasses 281 Shocking Eve 211 Don't Forge'tyour Opera 282 212 Love in Livery 213 Anthony and Cleopatra 214 Trying It (.-n. 215 Stage Struck Yankee 216 Young Wife & Old Um- brella 224 Sent to the T VOL. X> |225 Somebody El 226 Ladies Battl 2'.<:7 Art of Acting 228 The Lady oft 229 The Rights ol 230 My Husband' 231 Two Can PI Game 232 Fighting byv' VOL. XX 233 Unprotected 1 234 Pet of the Pet 235 Forty and Fil 236 Who Stole tl 237 My Son Diana 238 Unwarrantab; 239 Mr. \nd Mrs, 240 A Quiet Fami VOL. xx: 241 Cool as Cucui 242 Sudden Thoui 243 Jii- ibo Jum 244 A alighted Be 245 Little Toddlel 246 A Lover by Pi 247 Maid with th 48 Perplexing Pr VOL. XXX 249 Dr. Dilworth 250 Out to Nurse 251 A Lucky Hit 252 The Dowager 253 Metamora (Bu 254 Dreams of be! 255 The Shaker L 256 Ticklish Time VOL. XXX 257 20 Minutes wi' 258 Miralda: or, 1 of Tacon 259 A Soldier's C< 260 Servants by L 261 Dying for Lov 262 Alarming Sac 263 Valet de Shan 264 Nicholas Nick AOL. XXX 265 The Last of th 266 King Rene's I 267 The Grotto N: 268 A Devilish Gc 269 A Twice Told 270 Pas de Fascin 271 Revolutionarj 272 AManAVithou VOL. XX> 273 The Olio, Par 274 The Olio, Par 275 The Olio, Par 276TheTrumpete 277 Seeing AVarre 278 Green Mounti 279 That Nose 280 Tom Noddy's VOL. XX5 Owing to price oj no redm he mad these pr __. ' Any Play sent by Mail or Express, on receipt of 15 cents in money or stain •rders will receive prompt attention. *if* An Alphabetical List of 3000 Plays sent by Mail on receipt of a Postage Sta: SAMXJEIj FRENCH, Publisher, 122 Nassau Street, (m/> i VCJr See List of Standard Drama and Miscellaneous AA'orks on second and third pages of cove iMiek i' ?^i||^ MM^i<% ■-' ^^-". §1^, i^